A grandfather was left humiliated after being handed a £60 litter fine when his cigarette was knocked out of his hand as he walked past a scuffle between police and shoplifters.
Lazaris Michael, 76, had taken a single puff before his smoke was sent flying as officers apprehended two girls who were trying to flee a branch of Boots.
But the pensioner did not have time to bend down and pick it up before a council warden pounced on him and hit him the fixed penalty for littering in front of a large crowd.
When he begged the council to show common sense and drop the case they responded by threatening him with an even bigger fine if he does not pay up.
Mr Michael, a retired restaurateur from Margate, Kent, said: 'I am well known by the residents of this town and this was utterly embarrassing.
'I've been shopping on this street for half a century and this has never happened before. I never drop litter.
'I was on my way to pick up a prescription for my wife when two policemen were apprehending two girls and bringing them out of the shop.
'This was causing people to crowd round and in the bustle someone pushed into me and I dropped my cigarette.
'I wasn't littering - it was a full cigarette. But before I had a chance to pick it up the warden had come up to me and asked me to come with him.
'I didn't know what he wanted so I went to talk to him. He gave me the fine and didn't give me a chance to explain.
'If he hadn't come over to talk to me I would have bent down and picked it up without giving another thought.
'I wouldn't waste a full cigarette.'
Mr Michael, who has three grandchildren, said the worst thing about the incident last week was that many in the crowd wrongly believed that he was involved in the shoplifting.
He has since written to the council asking them to investigate the case, which he says was the result of an 'over zealous' council warden.
But he has been told the fee will be increased to £80 if he does not pay up.
Thanet Council's environment chief Shirley Tomlinson said: 'We are happy with the process that has been followed.
'Thanet Council's campaign warns people the council will take a zero tolerance approach to anyone who drops litter, including cigarette butts and chewing gum.
'If spotted, no excuses will be accepted. You will be handed a fine.
'It is therefore important to dispose of any litter in the right way.
'Our wardens have been doing what they have been instructed to do and we cannot make any allowances.'
Councils across Britain were given powers to issue fines for littering in 2006.
2 people have spoken:
And if a six foot six "Chav" had dropped his fag in the middle of the struggle, no doubt the dickless wonders of Thannet Council would have issued him with a Fine?
Yeah right...
And now be sucking soup through a straw at the local hospital.
Typical New labour...Pick on, and intimidate the weakest in Society through the intrepid stupidity of their Council minions, whilst simultaneously attempting to preach too, and shut down any opposing views through the medium of their odious politically correct police force.
SCUM
Pure and simple.
So true, I wonder if it was one of Blunketts brave PCSO's, the worthy amoral scum that follow orders whilst leaving kids to drown?
Mind they also have wardens, assorted uniformed asshats and wall to wall ranks of clipboard holding scumbags.
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